Every April, television broadcasts of the Masters prominently call out each of Augusta National’s holes by name. From the opening par four (Tea Olive) to the second-nine par fives (Azalea and Firethorn), each hole at the Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones creation is named after flora that can be found growing across the pristinely manicured property.
But Augusta National isn’t the only course with hole names dedicated to a singular theme. Here, we spotlight seven examples that feature creative—and, in some cases, cleverly themed—hole names, from references to Native American tribes to popular baseball terms and Beatles songs.
Sandhurst Club—Sandhurst, Australia
Just southeast of Melbourne proper, the Sandhurst Club features two 18-hole courses—one inspired from traditional Scottish links (North) and one that embraces that distinct look and playing experiences of layouts built in the country’s Sandbelt (Champions). Both courses have names for each of their holes, and on the latter routing each is dedicated to a past champion of the PGA of Australia, with plaques at each tee celebrating the players’ skills and attributes. While a few familiar names stand out—among them Ian Baker-Finch, David Graham, and Greg Norman—it’s safe to say that international visitors are likely to learn about quite a few accomplished Australian professional golfers during their round.
Aronimink Golf Club—Newtown Square, Pa.
In what might feel like a strange, parallel universe, when golfers reach the 4th tee at Aronimink just outside of Philadelphia, they’re about to play Seminole. Although Donald Ross was responsible for the design of both early-20th-century golf courses, there’s no relation here to the private club in Juno Beach, Fla. Instead, the long par four is named after the Native American tribe. In fact, the Scottish-born architect named each hole at the site of the 2026 PGA Championship after a different tribe of indigenous people, save for the 8th hole. Ross named that hole, a long par three that typically plays the toughest in relation to par, “Sitting Bull,” which is a fitting moniker given that the namesake was one of the leaders of the Lakota tribe who famously resisted the American government’s policies.
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Spyglass Hill Golf Course—Pebble Beach, Calif.
All but three of the holes at Pebble Beach Resort’s famous Spyglass Hill take their names from the people, places, and key plot points of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, Treasure Island. And in many cases, those names reflect the character of the hole. The par-five first is a perfect example. From the tee, you might think that the opener on this celebrated Robert Trent Jones Sr. design is named “Treasure Island” only as an introduction to the themed names that follow. But as you get closer to the putting surface, you’ll understand that the name is more closely linked to the hole’s design, as the green is an island surrounded by sand. Thus begins a round infused with classic golf architecture and references to a classic work of literature.
Montgomery National Golf Club—Montgomery, Minn.
Every now and then, playing a golf hole—or getting through an entire round—can sometimes feel like that classic Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road.” In those instances, you’re likely not going to be whistling or humming the tune. But there’s a good chance that during a round at Montgomery National, you’ll find at least a few Beatles songs stuck in your head. That’s because each of the holes there are named after popular hits from the Fab Four. The 13th, for example, is appropriately named “Norwegian Wood” given the green complex is tucked into a grove of trees. Additionally, the 10th, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” sports a guitar-shaped fairway bunker halfway down the right side of the hole. Not every name corresponds to the physical characteristics of its hole, but several do, which adds a whimsical touch to the playing experience.
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course—Orlando, Fla.
The Disney/Pixar film Coco embraces one theme: seize your moment. So, it stands to reason that the opening hole of the Magnolia course at Walt Disney World Resort should be branded with that name. Thus begins a round of golf on a course where each hole is coined after a theme, quote, or aspect of a Disney-produced movie. We’re particularly fond of the 8th hole’s name, “Adventure Is Out There,” since the par-five measures more than 600 yards from the tips and is certain to feel like an adventure.
Texas Rangers Golf Club—Arlington, Texas
When you show up at the Texas Rangers Golf Club only three miles north of the eponymous MLB team’s stadium, Globe Life Field, you’d be right to anticipate a touch of kitsch. Fortunately, the club delivers with 18 holes named after popular baseball terminology. As you might expect, the hole designs often reflect their monikers—or maybe it’s the other way around. For example, stand on the tee box of the 4th hole, a mid-length par four with a two-tiered fairway, and the name “Upper Deck” immediately makes sense. The next hole, a longer par four with a bisected fairway, is appropriately called “Double Play.” For the grand finale, the 532-yard par-five final hole is named—you guessed it—“Walk Off.”
Yocha Dehe Golf Club—Brooks, Calif.
Long before the Cache Creek Casino or the Yocha Dehe Golf Club existed in the valley of land west of Sacramento, the Patwin tribe of native Wintun people called the area home. As an homage to those indigenous people, the golf club features hole names in the Patwin language, most of which reflect a characteristic or challenge of their respective hole. The first, for example, is appropriately named “Sul Sah” (Eagle Eye) for the elevated tees that offer an unobstructed view over much of the course. The 15th is cleverly named “Winhem Ka Cha” (Shortcut) for the small secondary fairway left of a creek, which can lead to shorter approach shots for those willing to take on the risk of missing the diminutive target. Our favorite, however, is the par-three 13th. Branded “Duht Chiuma,” which in Patwin means headache, the one-shotter’s name is open for interpretation. You could attribute it to the yardage, all 254 yards of it, and the fact that the hole plays the full distance. Or you might think it’s a cheeky reference to the rows and rows of trellised wine grapes that surround the playing corridor. Ultimately, you’d be right either way.
